Kurtis’s POVAs I sat there, the evening wrapping around us like a soft blanket, I couldn’t take my eyes off Lyra. She was curled up next to me on the couch, her hair cascading over her shoulders, her face glowing in the soft light. We’d done it. Secured the deal, crossed a major milestone in our lives, and now, sitting in the quiet aftermath, I couldn’t help but feel a rush of gratitude, of happiness. But more than anything, I felt this overwhelming sense of pride, pride in her, in us, and everything we had built together. Lyra wasn’t just my business partner, she was my everything. And seeing her here, relaxed and happy, reminded me of just how lucky I was to have her in my life.I leaned back on the couch, my eyes tracing the curve of her lips as she took a sip of wine. God, she was beautiful. Not just on the outside, but in the way she moved, the way she thought, the way she always seemed to know what I needed even before I did.“Baby girl,” I said softly, reaching for her hand.
Kurtis POVBaby girl, have I told you how much I adore you?”I said as I started repeating everything I told her earlier.Lyra looked up from her wine glass, her lips curling into a soft smile as she caught my gaze. Her eyes sparkled in the dim light, and I could feel my heart thump a little harder just from the way she looked at me. “You tell me every day, Kurtis,” she teased, taking a small sip. “But I don’t mind hearing it again.”I set my glass down, leaning closer to her. “Well, let me tell you again because I don’t think you understand how much you’ve changed my life.” I reached for her hand, brushing my thumb over her knuckles. “You’re the reason I’m here. You’re the reason we’re sitting here, celebrating one of the biggest wins we’ve ever had.”She blinked, a bit surprised. “Kurtis, we did this together. You’ve worked just as hard—”“No,” I interrupted softly, my eyes never leaving hers. “You’ve been my rock, Lyra. Every time things got tough, it was you who kept me grounded.
Lyra's POVI could still feel the warmth of Kurtis’s lips on mine, the taste of our shared passion lingering as he held me close. My heart was still racing, my body tingling from every touch, every whispered word. I’d never felt this alive, this loved. As I rested against him, catching my breath, he suddenly pulled away, grinning like he was up to something."Kurtis, what are you up to?" I asked, trying to catch that mischievous glint in his eyes.He kissed the top of my head, pulling me to my feet. “Come on, baby girl, I’ve got another surprise for you.”I laughed softly, my hand still in his. "Another one? Kurtis, you’ve already given me the best night of my life."He led me outside, where the cool night air kissed my skin, and I realized we weren’t done celebrating yet. “This one’s a bit bigger,” he teased, opening the door and guiding me out. Bigger? What could possibly top what we just shared? I was still floating on the high of his love, the way he made me feel like the most im
Lyra's POVKurtis and I had just come back inside after celebrating, my heart still racing from the intimate moments we shared. I could still feel the warmth of his touch lingering on my skin, the intensity of his gaze making it impossible to think of anything else. But there was something in the way he smiled at me, something more than just the usual affection in his eyes. I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was planning something big.He leaned back on the couch, pulling me close to his side. “Baby girl,” he whispered, brushing a strand of hair away from my face, “I’ve got a little surprise for you.”I tilted my head, curious. “Another surprise?” I teased, my fingers lightly tracing the line of his jaw. “After everything, we’ve already celebrated tonight?”He grinned that boyish smile that always made my heart skip a beat. “Oh, this one’s even bigger. Something special.” His voice dropped, sending a shiver down my spine. “You’re going to love it.”I raised an eyebrow, intrigued but
Kurtis's POVAs I held Lyra in my arms, feeling the softness of her skin and the way she pressed perfectly against me, I couldn’t suppress the slow, satisfied smile creeping onto my face. Tonight had been everything I’d hoped for, and so much more. The way her eyes lit up, her breath catching in her throat when I slipped that ring onto her finger… every second of planning, every tiny detail, had been worth it.I kissed the top of her head, inhaling the sweet scent of her hair as she snuggled closer, her fingers trailing lazily over my chest. The warmth of her body against mine had me feeling a different kind of heat. The night was far from over in my mind.“You still thinking about it?” she asked softly, her voice low and teasing as if she knew exactly where my mind had wandered.“Mmm,” I murmured, tightening my hold on her, my lips grazing the shell of her ear. “I can’t help it. You looked so damn beautiful tonight, baby girl. The way you lit up when you saw the ring... when you said
Kurtis POVThe next morning, I woke up before the sun, excitement bubbling inside me. Lyra was still asleep, her head resting on my chest, her body curled into mine. I smiled, brushing a strand of hair away from her face, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction knowing what was about to happen.I slipped out of bed carefully, not wanting to wake her, and headed downstairs. My phone buzzed with a message from James.**James:** "The car’s out front, bro. Everything’s perfect. Good luck!"I peeked out the window, and there it was, sleek, midnight blue, with a massive red ribbon tied around the hood. It looked even better than I imagined. I could hardly wait to see Lyra’s reaction.I went back upstairs, gently waking her up with a kiss. “Morning, baby girl,” I whispered against her lips, my voice thick with anticipation.She stirred, her eyes fluttering open as she smiled up at me. “Mmm, morning,” she murmured, snuggling closer.“I’ve got something to show you,” I said, my excitement barely
Lyra’s POVI couldn’t hold back the excitement any longer. My heart was practically bursting, and I knew I had to call Angela right away. Every part of me tingled with joy, and my chest felt light, almost like I was floating. I couldn’t stop smiling, my cheeks aching from the constant grin. The ring on my finger sparkled in the soft light of the room, catching my eye with every movement. I lifted my hand again, admiring how the diamond caught the light, making everything feel even more real, yet somehow still a dream. With a huge smile on my face, I grabbed my phone, barely able to contain my excitement. My hands trembled slightly as I dialed Angela’s number, anticipation building with each ring. My fingers danced over the screen, but I couldn’t focus on anything except the giddy joy bubbling up inside me. I knew Angela would be just as excited for me, I could already hear her scream of excitement when I told her the news. As I waited for her to pick up, I stared at the ring again,
Lyra’s POVI stared at my phone long after the call with Angela ended, the joy from earlier slowly fading. Something about her tone kept replaying in my mind, a nagging feeling that I couldn’t shake. Angela wasn’t happy for me, not really. The way she said, "Wow, that’s… amazing" had felt so forced, so unlike her. Normally, she'd be the first to jump up and down with me, screaming in excitement. But this time... there was nothing.I sighed, sinking onto the couch and absentmindedly twisting the ring on my finger. It was stunning, the diamond catching the light in a way that made it almost hypnotic. This ring was supposed to represent everything Kurtis and I had together: love, commitment, and a future. But now, it felt like a heavy weight on my hand. Was Angela jealous?The thought hit me hard, and I shook my head, trying to dismiss it. “No, that can’t be it”. But the more I thought about it, the more things started to click into place. She had sounded distant, cold even. She mention
Lyra’s POV The day had finally arrived: my wedding day. The world outside seemed to know it was special, too. The sky was a canvas of soft blues and wispy white clouds, with the sun gently warming the seaside breeze. Every detail of the morning felt surreal, like I was walking through a dream I never wanted to wake up from. In my bridal suite, the air buzzed with excitement. Sophie, my bridesmaid and Angela’s closest friend, was helping me into my wedding dress. The dress was everything I’d imagined, sleek and elegant with delicate lace running down the sleeves and tiny pearls dotting the bodice. The train cascaded behind me like a flowing river of ivory silk. As Sophie zipped the back, I caught my reflection in the full-length mirror. For a moment, I didn’t recognize myself. “You look stunning, Lyra,” Sophie said, stepping back to admire me. Her voice was thick with emotion. I turned to her, my own heart brimming. “Do you think Kurtis will like it?” Sophie laughed. “Like i
Lyra's POV The next morning, I woke up to the smell of coffee drifting up to my room. For a moment, I stayed under the covers, savoring the warmth of my bed and the quiet anticipation that filled the air. Tomorrow, I would become Mrs. Lyra Hartley. The thought sent a flutter of excitement and nerves through me. Finally, curiosity got the better of me, and I padded downstairs, barefoot, my robe loosely tied. In the kitchen, I found Angela standing by the counter, a steaming mug in her hands. Her back was to me, and she seemed lost in thought. “Good morning,” I said, stepping closer, my voice soft so as not to startle her. Angela jumped slightly but quickly recovered, turning around with a faint smile. “Good morning. I didn’t mean to wake you. I just... couldn’t sleep.” I reached for a mug and poured myself some coffee, the rich aroma wrapping around me like a comforting hug. “You didn’t wake me,” I assured her. “But you being up this early is definitely unusual. What’s on your
Lyra’s POVThe morning light streamed through my bedroom window, painting everything in soft gold. My phone buzzed on the nightstand, jolting me out of my thoughts. I reached for it, my heart skipping a beat when I saw Kurtis’s name flashing on the screen. “Good morning, baby girl,” his deep voice greeted me. “Good morning,” I replied, feeling a flutter in my chest. Even after everything we’d been through, his voice still had that effect on me. “How did you sleep?” he asked. “Better than I have in weeks,” I admitted. “Knowing Alice is finally in custody helps.” There was a pause, and then he chuckled. “I knew that would ease your mind. But listen, we have something more important to focus on now—our wedding.” My heart soared. “You’re right. No more delays.” “Exactly. Can you meet me at the venue later today? I’ve already called a decorator and the caterer to start discussing ideas.” “Of course,” I said, excitement bubbling up. “What time?” “Around two. I’ll text you
Kurtis’s POVThe morning after James was arrested, I woke up feeling lighter, yet there was still a lingering weight on my chest. Alice. She was the real puppet master, the mastermind behind James’s schemes. If I let my guard down now, it could all be for nothing. I sat at the edge of the bed, watching Lyra sleep. Her face was serene, untouched by the chaos that constantly tried to invade our lives. I wanted to keep it that way. Standing up, I grabbed my phone and dialed Detective Harper. “Harper,” her voice was sharp and awake despite the early hour. “We’ve got to move on Alice,” I said, my tone firm. “If she gets wind of James’s arrest, she’ll bolt. We need to act now.” There was a pause on the other end of the line before Harper responded. “Agreed. Do you have anything concrete on her yet?” “Not enough to keep her locked up for long,” I admitted. “But James’s arrest is going to shake her. If we can catch her making a move, we’ll have something to work with.” “I’ll dispa
Kurtis’s POVI was still seeing the the moment the handcuffs clicked around James’s wrists, playing in my eye, how I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. It wasn’t just about justice, it was about keeping Lyra safe, about making sure that maniac wouldn’t come anywhere near her again. As the officers led him out, his defiance hadn’t wavered. “This isn’t over, Kurtis,” James hissed, his eyes filled with venom. “You think taking me down changes anything? You have no idea what you’re up against.” His voice echoed back in my ear.I didn’t respond. He could spit all the poison he wanted; his threats didn’t matter anymore. His reign of terror had ended the moment those cuffs locked into place. Once the police cars disappeared into the night, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. Detective Harper walked up to me, her expression grim but satisfied. “You did good tonight, Kurtis,” she told me.“I just did what needed to be done,” I replied, glancing at the warehouse where
Kurtis’s POVJames was a menace, a shadow that loomed over Lyra and Angela's lives for far too long. As I stood by the window of my penthouse suite, staring at the city lights below, the thought of letting him roam free even for another day was unbearable. Lyra’s safety wasn’t just a responsibility, it was personal. “I’m not waiting for him to make his next move,” I said, turning to Detective Harper on the other end of the phone. Harper’s voice was professional but tinged with determination. “We need solid evidence to make the arrest stick, Kurtis. What you’ve given us so far is compelling, but I need more to ensure he doesn’t wriggle out on a technicality.” I clenched my fist. “Then you’ll have it. I’ll send over every document, every email, every recording we’ve compiled so far. And I’ll make sure he has no place to run.” After hanging up, I paced the room, my mind racing. James was clever, but arrogance was his fatal flaw. He never imagined I’d play the long game, collectin
Lyra's POV Later that evening, as the hospital quieted down, I sat by Angela’s bedside, my mind a storm of thoughts. The air felt heavy, not just from the day’s events but from something I’d been holding back, something I needed answers to. I took a deep breath, summoning the courage to bring it up. Angela’s eyelids were drooping, but I knew she wasn’t asleep yet. “Angela,” I said softly, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. “I need to ask you something… and I need you to be honest with me.” Her eyes fluttered open, and she turned her head slightly to look at me. “Of course. What is it?” “It’s about James.” At the mention of his name, her expression shifted, a flicker of guilt flashing across her face. She didn’t say anything, so I pressed on. “You’ve been around him more than I have lately. You must know something about his intentions. What’s he planning, Angela? What does he want from me?” Angela hesitated, biting her lower lip. “Lyra… I don’t know if” “Do
Lyra’s POVThe cold, sterile smell of the hospital hit me the moment I stepped inside. My heart was pounding so hard it drowned out every other sound—the murmur of voices, the beep of monitors, the shuffling of feet. Angela. Critical condition. The nurse’s words rang in my ears as I approached the counter, my voice trembling as I asked, “Angela… Angela Hayes. Where is she?” The receptionist barely glanced up, typing away on her computer. “Room 115. Down the hall, second door on your left.” I didn’t wait for her to finish. My feet moved before my mind could catch up, rushing down the hallway, my breaths coming in short, panicked gasps. My legs felt like jelly, but I pushed forward, ignoring the ache. When I reached the door marked *115,* I paused, my hand hovering over the handle. I wasn’t ready to see her like this—to see my sister, my twin, lying broken and vulnerable. But I had to. I pushed the door open and stepped inside, my breath catching in my throat at the sight be
Angela’s POV The door slammed behind me as I left Lyra’s house, but the sound didn’t drown out the storm in my head. The cold evening air wrapped around me like a punishment, but it was nothing compared to the icy distance Lyra had put between us. I climbed into my car, letting the silence close in, but the quiet only gave space for my thoughts to scream louder. My hands clutched the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles turning white as I sat there, reliving every moment of the last hour. I had gone there to apologize, to mend the bridge I had set on fire. Instead, I’d been met with something far worse than anger, indifference. When she opened the door, her face was unreadable. For a moment, I thought she might slam it shut again, but she stepped aside, her cold eyes fixed on me. “What do you want, Angela?” she asked, her voice void of emotion. My heart had twisted at her tone, but I forced myself to speak. “I came to say I’m sorry, Lyra. I know I’ve been… awful. I know I’v